Film Reviews

The Adjustment Bureau

• Rating:
• Director: George Nofli
• Starring: Matt Damon
• Details: US/105mins 12A

Cerebral but light, this Matt Damon-starrer is a swift affair, that moves briskly and blends genres with ease. Damon and Blunt's blistering chemistry goes a long way to filling the gaps in this adaptation of Philip K. Dick's short story, and the Bostonian actor is perfectly cast as the charismatic blue collar politician. Instantly likeable, Damon may be cruising on his charm, but it's been a while since he's had a chance to do so.
Damon is David Norris, a former New York Senator who's now running for Congress. On the cusp of a landslide victory, a story about his personal life breaks and he subsequently loses the election. That night, he happens to stumble across Emily Blunt's free-spirited dancer and the two share an instant connection. Inspired by their meeting, he gives an electrifying concession speech - instantly putting him in pole position for the next election. But what seems like chance is actually a carefully manipulated scheme by a higher power called "The Adjustment Bureau," a mysterious group who dictate what paths our lives take, and track their subsequent impact on the world. But Damon believes that his meeting with Blunt's character was fate, and will stop at nothing to ensure he meets her again - despite the ojections of "The Bureau".
It's a difficult thing to assemble a smart-yet-accessible film first time around - but that's exactly what screenwriter-by-trade George Nolfi has done. By definition alone, this should be a dense and exposition-heavy production that slowly drip-feeds the audience information, having lured them in with the presence of a movie star. But it's genuinely entertaining without sacrificing any of the promised smarts, and the science fiction element is never forced, either. Instead, it's handled in more of a matter-of-fact manner, which suits its breezy tone - because at its heart, The Adjustment Bureau is really a love story.
Blending politics with science fiction sounds like a heavy prospect. Yet, although it poses more questions than it ultimately answers, using a couple of hokey plot devices (magic hats... Really?) in the process, it's hard not to buy into the whole thing. New York looks gorgeous, and Nolfi's ambiguous handling of the Bureau members is smartly executed. But the real reason to see The Adjustment Bureau is Damon and Blunt, who make a cracking on-screen couple. You will be willing them to get together for the duration of this entertaining, rewarding movie. This is smart, engaging stuff.

Review by Mike Sheridan